Carton with re-closable dispensing opening

ABSTRACT

A carton is disclosed which comprises four wall panels ( 12, 14, 16, 18 ) which are bounded by crease lines ( 20, 22, 24, 26 ). A tab ( 28 ) secures the four panels into tubular form. The bottom overlapping flaps ( 30, 32, 34, 36 ). The top of the carton is closed by further flaps ( 46, 48, 50, 52 ). The flap ( 52 ) has a removable panel ( 72 ) within the area thereof, the removable panel ( 72 ) being bounded by a weakened line ( 74 ) along which it can be detached from the flap ( 52 ). The flap ( 48 ) has an area ( 70 ) coated with pressure sensitive adhesive and an area ( 68 ) coated with glue which secures the area ( 68 ) permanently to the underlying top closure structure. The areas ( 68, 70 ) are separated from one another by a crease line ( 66 ). Once the removable panel ( 72 ) has been detached for dispensing purposes, the resultant opening can be closed by pressing the area ( 70 ) down onto the remainder of the top closure structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to cartons for packaging flowable materials.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Cartons having reclosable openings through which the contents of the carton can be dispensed have been proposed.

[0003] Applicant is aware that cartons have been used commercially in which, just below the top edge of one of the wall panels, there is a line of weakening which bounds a removable panel section. To open the carton the removable panel section is pressed inwardly so that the wall panel fails along the weakened line. The removable panel section is then torn-off. This system has two difficulties. Firstly, as the removable panel section is pushed in, some of the contents of the carton can flow out. Another difficulty is that the carton cannot be reposed. In another known form a small area just below the top edge of one of the wall panels is cut away during manufacture and replaced by a chute of metal or plastics material one edge of which is hingedly secured to the wall panel. By tilting the chute outwardly the contents of the carton can be poured. This form has the advantage that the dispensing opening can be re-closed. It has the disadvantages of expense and for security purposes can only be used (at least in respect of food products) if the carton is wrapped in, for example, Cellophane to prevent unauthorized access being had to the chute before the carton is purchased and the Cellophane removed by the customer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton which comprises panels constituting the upright side walls of the carton, overlapping flaps forming an end closure for one end of the carton and overlapping flaps forming an underlying closure structure for the other end of the carton, said underlying closure structure being covered by an outer closure flap, characterized in that said outer closure flap is secured by pressure sensitive adhesive to said underlying closure structure so that it can be separated from and re-adhered to said underlying closure structure, said underlying closure structure being formed with a removable panel which can be detached to leave an opening through which the contents of the container can be dispensed, said outer closure flap closing-off said opening when re-adhered to said closure structure.

[0005] In the preferred form of carton part of the area of said outer closure flap has pressure sensitive adhesive thereon and another part of said outer closure flap is permanently adhered to said underlying closure structure, there being a crease line between said areas about which said outer closure flap can be bent.

[0006] Said underlying closure structure can comprise three flaps, said removable panel being in one of said three flaps and there being cut-outs in the other two flaps of said three flaps, said cut outs registering with said removable panel. In this form said other two flaps can each be part flaps which extend half way across the closure and said one flap extends over the full extent of said closure structure, said outer closure flap having the same dimensions as said one flap.

[0007] Said removable panel can be semi-circular in shape and each of said cut outs can have the shape of a quarter circle.

[0008] In one form said crease line extends part way across said outer closure flap, there being a line of weakness connecting said crease line to the free edge of said outer closure flap, the area of the outer closure flap bounded by said crease line and said line of weakness being the area which can be bent about the crease line and which is releasably secured to said underlying closure structure.

[0009] In another form said removable panel is permanently adhered to said outer closure flap. In this form said underlying closure structure comprises three flaps, said removable panel being in one of said three flaps and there being corner pieces each forming a part of one of the other two flaps of said three flaps, said corner pieces being joined to the remainders of said other two flaps along weakened lines and registering with said removable panel.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank which comprises wall panels joined to one another along crease lines so that the wall panels can be folded with respect to one another to form a carton, first and second sets of flaps joined along crease lines to said wall panels, said first set of flaps forming a closure for one end of the carton when folded with respect to the wall panels and overlapped with one another, said second set of flaps being joined along crease lines to ends of said wall panels remote from the ends to which said first set of flaps are connected and which second set of flaps, when folded over with respect to the wall panels, form a closure for the other end of the carton, said second set of flaps including a first flap with a weakened line therein bounding a removable panel and a second flap with a dividing crease line there across separating the second flap into a first area and a second area, said first area being between said dividing crease line and the crease line along which said second flap is joined to the respective wall panel.

[0011] Said second set of flaps can include two half flaps, the half flaps each having a cut out which, when the flaps of the second set of flaps are folded over to form said end closure, come into cooperating relationship with one another and in register with said removable panel.

[0012] In a further embodiment said second set of flaps includes two half flaps, each half flap having a corner piece joined to the remainder of the respective flap along a line of weakening, said corner pieces, when the second set of flaps are folded over to form said end closure, coming into co-operating relationship with one another and into register with said removable panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:—

[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates a blank from which a carton can be erected;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a partly closed carton;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a closed carton;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of another form of partly dosed carton;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the carton of FIG. 2 opened to permit the contents of the carton to be dispensed;

[0019]FIG. 6 illustrates a modified form of carton;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a further form of blank; and

[0021]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 and showing a carton erected from the blank of FIG. 7 after being opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The blank 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be of any material conventionally used in the manufacture of cartons for containing granular materials. Suitable materials are paperboard, fibreboard and rigid sheet plastics material.

[0023] The blank 10 comprises four wall panels 12, 14, 16 and 18 which are bounded by crease lines 20, 22, 24 and 26. One of the longer free edges of the panel 12 is a free edge and it is joined along its other edge to the panel 14 by way of the crease line 20. An elongate closure tab 28 is joined along the crease line 26 to the panel 18. The crease lines 20, 22 and 24 form the boundaries between the panels 12, 14, 16 and 18. The closure tab 28 can, if desired, be along the edge of the panel 12 instead of along the edge of the panel 18.

[0024] A bottom closure structure of the carton is constituted by four flaps 30, 32, 34 and 36 which are joined along crease lines 38, 40, 42 and 44 to one of the shorter edges of each panel 12, 14, 16 and 18. It will be noted that the flaps 30 and 34 are half flaps and the flaps 32 and 36 are full flaps. In other constructions the flaps 30, 34 can be full flaps.

[0025] Top closure flaps 46, 48, 50 and 52 are joined to the other shorter edges of the panels 12, 14, 16 and 18 along crease lines 54, 56, 58 and 60 respectively.

[0026] The flaps 46 and 50 are half flaps. Each has a corner thereof cut away. The pieces cut away each have the shape of a quarter of a circle. The resulting cut outs are designated 62, 64. In other constructions the flaps 46, 50 are full flaps.

[0027] The flap 48 has a crease line 66 across it parallel to the crease line 56. The crease line 66 divides the panel 48 into two areas designated 68 and 70. The area 70 is about twice the size of the area 68.

[0028] The flap 52 has a removable panel 72 within the area thereof, the removable panel 72 being joined to the remainder of the flap 52 along a weakened line 74. The weakened line can be constituted by a score line. The removable panel 72 is shown in the illustrated embodiment as being semi-circular in shape. It can, however, also be circular and generally the shape and size of the cut-outs 62, 64 and of the removable panel 72 can be chosen in dependance on the flow characteristics of the carton's contents.

[0029] A gluing tab 76 is joined along a line 78 to that edge of the flap 48 which is remote from the crease line 56.

[0030] To erect the carton (FIG. 2), the blank is folded along the crease lines 20, 22, 24 and 26 and the closure tab 28 adhered to the inside face of the edge zone of the panel 12. This can be done at the carton maker's factory or immediately prior to filing. The bottom flaps 30, 32, 34 and 36 are then folded about the crease lines 38, 40, 42 and 44. The flaps 30, 34 are folded first and glue is applied to the flap 36. When the flap 36 is folded over it adheres permanently to the flaps 30 and 34. Glue is then applied to the flap 32 and the flap 32 permanently adhered to the flap 36.

[0031] The carton is filled through the open top and then the top is closed by folding the top closure flaps 46, 48, 50 and 52 over about the crease lines 54, 56, 58 and 60 and adhering them together.

[0032] If the folding procedure of FIG. 2 is followed, the half flaps 46, 50 are the first flaps folded. The flap 52 then has glue applied to it over its entire area and it is then folded over. The flaps 46 and 50 are permanently secured by the glue to the underside of the flap 52. It will be noted that the cutouts 62, 64 come into a co-operating relationship in which they together define a composite semi-circular cut out that registers with the removable panel 72.

[0033] The top face of the flap 52 has pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the shaded area (see FIG. 1). It is this area which comes into co-operating relationship with the area 70.

[0034] The area 68 has glue applied thereto which permanently secures the area 68 to the flap 52. The pressure sensitive adhesive on the flap 52 releasably secures the area 70 to the flap 52. The carton is now as shown in FIG. 2. The flaps 46, 50 and 52 together form an underlying top closure structure for the carton. The flap 48 constitutes an outer top closure flap. The area 70 of the outer top closure flap is releasably secured to said structure by the pressure sensitive adhesive and the area 68 is permanently glued to said structure.

[0035] The area 68 seals-off the gap which would otherwise exist along the top edge of the panel 14 and between this panel and the edge of the underlying top closure structure which is comprised of the flaps 46, 50 and 52.

[0036] If the flap 52 does not have pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto, then it is the area 70 which has pressure sensitive adhesive applied to it.

[0037] The gluing tab 76 is permanently glued to the flap 52.

[0038] It is also possible for pressure sensitive adhesive to be applied by the carton manufacturer before the carton is delivered to the party which will finally erect the carton and fill it. More specifically the carton manufacturer can apply a single component pressure sensitive adhesive to the area 70 of the flap 48. Alternatively it can apply a single component pressure sensitive adhesive to that area of the flap 52 which, when the flaps 48 and 52 are brought into contact, is intended to be releasably adhered to the area 70 of the flap 48.

[0039] In another form a two component pressure sensitive adhesive can be applied by the carton manufacturer, one component being applied to the area 70 of the flap 48 and the other component being applied to that area of the flap 52 which registers with the area 70.

[0040] An alternative way of forming the underlying top closure structure is shown in FIG. 4. In this form the flap 52 is folded over first. Either the half panels 46, 50, or the flap 52, have glue applied before the flaps 46, 50 are folded over into face-to-face contact with the flap 52. The flap 48 is the last one to be folded over.

[0041] To dispense the contents of the carton, the flap 48 is tom along the line 78. The tab 76 thus remains glued to the panel 52. Alternatively the tab 76 is prised free of the flap 52 and remains attached to the flap 48. The flap 48 is then folded back on itself about the crease line 66 (see FIG. 5). The area 70 can easily be detached as it is secured to the underlying top closure structure by the one or two component pressure sensitive adhesive. The removable panel 72, which forms a tamper evident feature, is then detached. This can be done by pushing it in to cause the material of the flap 52 to fail along the weakened line 74 and by then tearing it out. No spillage of the contents of the carton occurs.

[0042]FIG. 5 shows the carton of FIG. 2 after opening. It will be understood that when the carton of FIG. 4 is opened it is the flaps 46, 50 which can be seen.

[0043] The carton can be re-closed by pressing the area 70 back against the underlying top closure structure so that the pressure sensitive adhesive is effective releasably to secure the flap 52 to the area 70 of the flap 48.

[0044] The exposed surface of the carton can be printed and/or covered by a coating such as varnish, with or without a release coating, or a plastics film. All these techniques are commonly used in the packaging industry.

[0045] In the form of FIG. 6 the line 66 only extends partway across the flap 48 and is joined by a weakened line 80 to the free edge of the flap 48. The shaded area 68 is the area which is permanently glued to the flap 52. The area 70 is releasably attached by the pressure sensitive adhesive to the flap 52. In this form the panel 72 of the flap 52 is shown as being circular but could be of any other desired shape. It will be understood that in this form, depending on the position of the panel 72 and its shape, it may only be necessary to form a cut out (62, 64) in one of the flaps 46, 50. Alternatively, non-identical cut outs may be required in the edges of the flaps 46 and 50 to provide a shape which matches the panel 72.

[0046] Turning now to FIG. 7, the blank illustrated has many features in common with the blank of FIG. 1. Where applicable like features have been designated with like reference numerals. The quarter round pieces which are, in FIG. 1, removed to form the cut-outs 62 and 64 are, in FIG. 7, left in place. These pieces are designated 62.1 and 64.1. They are joined to the remaining parts of the flaps 46 and 50 along lines of weakening constituted by perforations 82, 84.

[0047] During erection of the carton the area 68 and the panel 72 are coated with permanent adhesive. Thus a strip of the panel 48 which overlies the panel 52 is permanently secured to the panel 52. This strip is designated 86 in FIG. 8. The panel 72 is also permanently adhered to the flap 48. The tab 76 is not required in this construction.

[0048] When the carton is opened, the area 70 of the flap 48 separates from the flap 52, the flap 48 bending about the line 66. The panel 72, being permanently secured to the flap 48, is torn out of the flap 52 along the line 74. This exposes the corner pieces 62.1 and 64.1 which can then be pressed down into the carton to allow access to be had to the carton's contents. In FIG. 8 the panel 72 is shown adhered to the underside of the panel 48. 

1. A carton which comprises panels constituting the upright side walls of the carton, overlapping flaps forming an end closure for one end of the carton and overlapping flaps forming an underlying closure structure for the other end of the carton, said underlying closure structure being covered by an outer closure flap, characterized in that said outer closure flap is secured by pressure sensitive adhesive to said underlying closure structure so that it can be separated from and re-adhered to said underlying closure structure, said underlying closure structure being formed with a removable panel which can be detached to leave an opening through which the contents of the container can be dispensed, said outer closure flap closing-off said opening when re-adhered to said underlying closure structure.
 2. A carton according to claim 1, wherein part of the area of said outer closure flap has pressure sensitive adhesive thereon and another part of said outer closure flap is permanently adhered to said underlying closure structure, there being a crease line between said areas about which said outer closure flap can be bent.
 3. A carton as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said underlying closure structure comprises three flaps, said removable panel being in one of said three flaps and there being cut-outs in the other two flaps of said three flaps, said cut outs registering with said removable panel.
 4. A carton as claimed in claim 3, wherein said other two flaps are each part flaps which extend half way across the closure and said one flap extends over the full extent of said closure structure, said outer closure flap having the same dimensions as said one flap.
 5. A carton as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein said removable panel is semi-circular in shape and each of said cut outs has the shape of a quarter circle.
 6. A carton as claimed in claim 2, wherein said crease line extends part way across said outer closure flap, there being a line of weakness connecting said crease line to the free edge of said outer closure flap, the area of the outer closure flap bounded by said crease line and said line of weakness being the area which can be bent about the crease line and which is releasably secured to said underlying closure structure.
 7. A carton as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said removable panel is permanently adhered to said outer closure flap.
 8. A carton as claimed in claim 7, wherein said underlying closure structure comprises three flaps, said removable panel being in one of said three flaps and there being corner pieces each forming a part of one of the other two flaps of said three flaps, said corner pieces being joined to the remainders of said other two flaps along weakened lines and registering with said removable panel.
 9. A blank which comprises wall panels joined to one another along crease lines so that the wall panels can be folded with respect to one another to form a carton, first and second sets of flaps joined along crease lines to said wall panels, said first set of flaps forming a closure for one end of the carton when folded with respect to the wall panels and overlapped with one another, said second set of flaps being joined along crease lines to ends of said wall panels remote from the ends to which said first set of flaps are connected and which second set of flaps, when folded over with respect to the wall panels, form a closure for the other end of the carton, said second set of flaps including a first flap with a weakened line therein bounding a removable panel and a second flap with a dividing crease line there across separating the second flap into a first area and a second area, said first area being between said dividing crease line and the crease line along which said second flap is joined to the respective wall panel.
 10. A blank as claimed in claim 9, wherein said dividing crease line is parallel to the crease line along which the second flap is joined to the respective wall panel.
 11. A blank as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein said removable panel is semi-circular in shape.
 12. A blank as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein said second set of flaps further includes two half flaps, the half flaps each having a cut out which, when the flaps of the second set of flaps are folded over to form said end closure, come into cooperating relationship with one another and in register with said removable panel.
 13. A blank as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein said second set of flaps includes two half flaps, each half flap having a corner piece joined to the remainder of the respective flap along a line of weakening, said corner pieces, when the second set of flaps are folded over to form said end closure, coming into co-operating relationship with one another and into register with said removable panel.
 14. A carton substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 or 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
 15. A blank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 1 or to FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings. 